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Distribution of competences
Distribution of competences
The Treaty of Lisbon clarifies the division of competences between the EU and its member countries. Alongside the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, sits the principle of conferral (Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union - TEU).
This principle means that the EU can only act within the limits of the competences that have been conferred upon it by the EU treaties. These competences are defined in Articles 2-6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU).
There are 4 types of competences:
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